USMNT roster for friendlies vs. Brazil, Mexico: Christian Pulisic out with an injury, Tim Weah and Weston McKennie in

The U.S. opens its second-half schedule of 2018 with a battle against Brazil on Friday

The United States men's national team is back in action this month with two big friendlies against Brazil and Mexico on Friday, Sept. 7 and Tuesday, Sept. 11, respectively. But before the action begins, USMNT interim coach Dave Sarachan announced his 24-man squad for the games, with a few a surprises.

Below you'll find the roster released by U.S. Soccer, with caps and goals for each player:

Not a huge surprise with this young squad, because that's what Sarachan had been calling up for most of this year. The average age is 23 and the roster averages averages 11 caps, with Yedlin at 52. The Newscatsle right back scored his first career Premier League goal this weekend against Manchester City.

As you'll notice, Christian Pulisic is left off the list, and that's because he's recovering from a muscle injury. That said, there is still a ton of young talent and reasons for fans to get excited. Going up against a Neymar-led Brazil will give this team another stiff test and you only help them improve and learn. This crop of players is the future of U.S. Soccer, and the more they play together the better it will be in the long run for this team. While veterans like Michael Bradley sit at home, it's a deserving chance for these young guys to make a statement.

Roger Gonzalez is an award-winning writer based in Virginia that has covered pro soccer from Europe's top clubs to Argentina's first division. Roger started out his pro soccer writing career with Goal.com...
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